Cathode ray tube indicator systems



March 7, 1961 R. c. MARHOLZ cATHoDE RAY TUBE INDICATOR SYSTEMS l 2,974,192 Patented Mar. 7, 19641` 2,974,192 CATHODE RAY TUBE INDICATOR SYSTEMS Richard C. Marholz, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Raytheon Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 21, 1955, Ser. No. 554,451 '7 Claims. (Cl. 178--7.S)

This invention relates to cathode ray tube indicator systems and more particularly to an improved cabinet and supporting structure for cathode ray tubes such as are used in television receivers and the like.

In a conventional cabinet for housing cathode ray tube indicator systems or display devices, the parts are usually inaccessible without removing a cover plate at the back of the cabinet, disconnecting one or more tube chassis from the base of the cabinet and, in some instances, removing the cathode ray tube, all of which is a laborious and time-consuming operation. In addition, the cathode ray tube is frequently supported within the cabinet by being fastened to the base member or sides of the cabinet by a plurality of llexible straps, belts, spring fasteners and other complicated supporting structures. As a. result, the parts and tubes mounted adjacent these supporting structures are diicult to reach or service from the rear of the cabinet and special precaution must be taken to avoid disturbing supports usually attached to the rear or neck portion of the cathode ray tube, where undue stress could result in breakage of the glass envelope at the relatively Weak region where the neck joins the dome portion of the tube. It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a cabinet in which substantially all the parts and tubes are readily accessible for servicing and in which the cathode ray tube is adequately yet removably mounted in a manner wherein substantially no stress is applied to the neck or gun portion of the tube.

In accordance with the present invention, a 'cathode ray tube display device is provided with a cabinet, preierably made of sheet metal, housing the cathode ray tube, the cabinet having a detachable base member on which is mounted a Vertical chassis forming part of the support structure for mounting the cathode ray tube entirely by its dome-shaped portion, the supporting structure consisting of a front supporting assembly, hereinafter termed a clamp member, engaging the front portion of `the cathode ray tube, a rear mounting ring connected t the chassis and engaging the dome portion of the tube adjacent the neck portion, and tension means, herein composed of metal rods, connected to the upper part of the chassis urging the front clamp member and rear mounting ring together, to cause the cathode ray tube to be supported entirely by its relatively heavy glass dome portion, thereby avoiding the application of any stress between the glass neck portion and the dome.

fIn the present invention the cabinet has a metal cover member or case enclosing the cathode ray tube and detachable from the base member on which the tube is mounted, the cover member and base member having grooved edge portions which act as an escutcheon for holding the well-known transparent protective faceplate and the mask in alignment with each other to define the area of the face of the tube to be viewed. As a result, the accumulation of dust and grime which normally forms on the face or display screen of the tube and on the transparent faceplate can be easily cleaned by the simple operation of removing the cover member from the base member of the cabinet, which at the same time, exposes the chassis on which are mounted substantially all the parts and tubes, thus simplifying servicing to an unexpected degree.

- to furnish a support for electronic components.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be best understood from the following description of exemplications thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cathode ray tube indicator cabinet illustrating a cha-ssis, cathode ray tube, and support structure embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a partially broken away view of a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. l, showing the front support structure for the cathode ray tube;

Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of support structure for attaching the cover to the base member of the cabinet; and

Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a corner member also used in joining the cover to the base member of the cabinet.

Referring now to Figs. 1l and 2, there is shown a television receiver cabinet 10 having a covervmember 11 and a base member 12 which are made of a rigid material, Such as sheet metal, and which have sufhcient strength Cover member 11 is detachably mounted on the base member 12 by means of a grooved sliding assembly 13, shown in Fig. 2, in a manner which will be described in detail later.

Base member 12 is mounted on a pair of oppositely-disposed front legs 14 and rear legs 15 composed of insulating material, such as hard rubber, and attached to base member 12 by means of screws, not shown. Positioned on base member 12 directly above rear legs 15 is a vertical planar chassis 16 having a skirt 17 formed at righ-t angles `to the vertical portion of the chassis 16, and mounted on oppositely-disposed insulators 13 attached to base member 12 by screws 19. Mounted on chassis 16 are tubes land components 20, forming no part of this invention.

Chassis `-16 has a substantially circular aperture 21 therein, suicient in size to accommodate a support structure for mounting a cathode ray tube 23 to the base member 12. Extending through aperture 21 in chassis 16 is the neck 22 of the cathode ray tube 23, which, as shown here, is of the well-known rectangular tube type having a display screen or face 24 and a dome portion 25, to which a high voltage terminal 26 is connected. The glass neck portion of cathode ray tube 23 is con.- nected to tube socket 27 and supports ion trap assembly 28 which, with a conventional deflection yoke assembly 29, are the only parts or components supported by the neck portion of the tube. While a rectangular tube type is shown in this embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that all types of cathode ray tubes may be used, including those having metal envelopes and circular display screens. i

After a conventional deflection yoke assembly 29 is slidably mounted on the neck portion 22 of cathode ray tube 23, it is positioned in the aperture 21 in chassisr16 and held in place therein by an adjusting screw 32 eX- tending through a slot 33 in ring-shaped mounting lmember 34, which in. turn is Iadjustably attached to vertical chassis 16 by means of slotted brackets 35, by adjustable mounting screws 36 extending throught slots in the brackets 35, and by chassis screws 37. In this manner, deliection yoke assembly 29 can be positioned `on the neck portion 22 of cathode ray tube 23 without .building up stress concentrations in the region where the neck joins the dome portion of the tube. It should be noted that mounting member 34 is substantially coaxial with deection yoke assembly 29 which, as noted, maybe positioned on the neck portion of the tube by loosening adjusting screw 32 and moving the assembly axially through the slot 33 in mounting member 34. At the same time, mounting member 34 is large enough in diameter to engage and support the relatively strong dome portion of the glass envelope of tube 23. A grommet or gasket 38 is positioned along the edge portion of mounting member 34 in the region where it engages the dome portion of the tube 23 and is preferably composed of a resilient insulating material, for example, rubber.

Mounted on chassis 16 and insulated therefrom is a shelf member 4G having a horizontal portion to which are connected relatively small components, such as potentiometer controls 41, by means of screws 192. The vertical portion of shelf member 4t) is connected to the chassis 16 and insulated therefrom by means of mounting screws 43 which extend through insulating members 44, having enlarged diameters at the central portion thereof to act as insulated separating means for chassis 16 and shelf member 40. Since chassis 16 is electrically insulated from shelf member 4t) and from the rest of the cabinet, when desired, it may be at a different electrical potential than the remainder of the cabinet.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown the support structure for mounting cathode ray tube 23 substantially entirely by its dome. As shown here, the dome portion 25 of the cathode ray tube 23 rests on a U-shaped support or cradle member 50 having a contoured midportion 51,

as shown in Fig. 2, extending adjacent the bottom of the cathode ray tube, and having oppositely-disposed arms 52, preferably integral with cradle member 50, having a right-angle portion 53 struck upward to form a bracket engaging a small area of display screen 24. The rightangle portion 53 of cradle member Sti supports a lip member 54 composed preferably of rubber or resilient material, which serves as a cushion or shock mount for cathode ray tube 23. Cradle member Si), which is rigidly attached to base member 12 by any suitable means, such as screws `or rivets, not shown, also has a pair of oppositeiydisposed tabs 55, as shown in Fig. 2, to which are attached mounting straps 59 and 6G, shown here as being metal, which, however, may be fiber or cloth, if so desired. Straps 59 and 60, attached to tabs 55 by means of screws 56, extend around the enlarged diameter of the tube, being insulated therefrom by a felt cushion 61 which, as shown, extends a greater portion of the distance around the enlarged portion of the tube and which serves as a shock mount for said tube. Straps 59 and 66 are eon nected together and can be tightened by means of the conventional connecting screw 62 and adjusting nut 63, connecting screw 62 extending through holes provided in the upturned ends of straps 59 and 60, as shown in Fi 2.

/Iounted on the upper surface of cathode ray tube 23 and beneath mounting strap 60 are a pair of oppositelydisposed Z-shaped mounting brackets 64, one end of each being struck downward at 65 to engage display screen 24, the other end of each being struck upward at 66 and having holes to receive oppositely-disposed threaded rods 67, only one of which is shown, which extend substantially parallel to base member 12 and are connected to an elbow portion 68 of shelf member 40. Rods 67 are provided with adjustment nuts 69 and locking nuts 70, mounted on the outer and inner sides of both elbow 68 and end portion 66, respectively, Thus, in accordance with the invention, locking nuts 70 may be loosened and adjustment nuts 69 may be tightened to urge the mounting brackets 64 toward chassis 16, thereby forcing or urging the dome portion 25 of the cathode ray tube 23 against rubber gasket 38 and mounting member 36E-t, in a manner in which substantially all stress is applied to the relatively heavy dome portion of the glass envelope of tube 23. Mounting brackets 64, with mounting straps 59, 60 and cradle 5t) comprise the front supporting structure or clamp member for tube 23. Mounting brackets 64 are provided with a pair of detents 71 which are turned upward at the forward edge of strap 60 and which urge strap 60 backward toward rubber gasket 38 when rods 67 are tightened, thereby concentrating the weight of the tube in the relatively sturdy chassis 16.

Referring again to Fig. l,"the base member 12 is provided with a U-shaped edge member 76, which is formed by folding the end portion of the base member 12 back upon itself to form a channel for supporting the front assembly consisting of a faceplate 77, preferably of safety glass, and a conventional mask 7S surrounding the faceplate 77. 1n like manner, cover member 11 is provided with a U-shaped end portion 79 which cooperates with the edge member 76 to form grooved edge portions acting as an escutcheon for holding the glass faceplate 77 and mask 78 in alignment with the display screen 24 and, as noted, defining the area of the screen to be viewed. As noted, when it is desired to remove the cathode ray tube 23 from the cabinet 1t), the front assembly can be easily dismantled by removing cover plate 11 from base member 12 which permits the faceplate 77 and mask 78 to be withdrawn from the U-shaped edge member 76.

Cover plates 80 and 81, as shown in Fig. 2, extend over the top and side portions of cover member 11 for a short distance and are mounted thereon by means of screws S2. The cover plates are preferably made of plastic or hard rubber to insulate the picture controls shafts from the metal cabinet. ln addition, cover plate 80 is provided with an aperture, not shown, in its vertical side portion through which sound may pass from a loudspeaker 83, which is mounted by screws S4 to a bracket which, in turn, is connected to the horizontal portion of shelf member 40 behind elbow 68. A shaft 36 connected to picture control apparatus, not shown, on vertical chassis 16, extends through a hole provided in cover plate 80 and is provided with a picture control knob 87. In like manner, shaft S3 and station selector' shaft 89 extend vertically through holes provided in cover member 11 and cover plate 81. Shaft S8, shown in Fig. 2 and station selector shaft 89, as well as other shafts, not shown, are connected to the appropriate apparatus mounted on chassis 16, which comprise, for example, the off-on switch, brightness control, horizontal hold control, vertical hold control, and volume control. The aforementioned shafts extend adjacent each other through appropriate holes, not shown, in cover member 11 and in cover plates 80 and 81. Station selector shaft 89 is provided with a station selector knob 96 which may be used to control a standard tuner unit mounted ou chassis 16. To provide for additional strength and rigidity of chassis 16, shelf member 40 is provided with a bracket 92 bolted to the vertical and horizontal portion of shelf member 40.

A back 93, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided for cabinet 10 and is removably attached to cover member 11 and base member 12 by means of screws 94. `It should be noted that back 93 may, if desired, be made of metal, but preferably is made of fiber or other insulating material, perforated with holes to permit ventilation of the cabinet. A cup member 95, made of rubber or metal. covers an laperture in the center of back 93 through which the neck portion 22 of cathode ray tube 23 extends. Cup member 95, also, houses tube socket 27 and wires 96 connected thereto and is connected to back 93 by means of screws 97. In addition, it serves to prevent the cabinet 10 from being positioned so close to the wall of a room that ventilation of the cabinet is impaired. Power is supplied to the indicating equipment in cabinet 1t) by means of an electric cord which has a plug 9S attached to back 93 in a manner in which power is removed from the indicating equipment when back 93 is removed from the cabinet. Bracket 99, connected to base mernber 12 by screws, not shown, supports a conventional socket member, not shown, into which plug 98 slidably ts. Bracket 99, also, is provided with a tab 100, integral therewith, which acts as a guide to aid in inserting plug 98 into the socket. When back 93 is removed, the tubes and components 20 mounted on one side of the vertical chassis 16 are readily accessible from the rear of the cabinet, for replacement or servicing, without the necessity of removing cover member 11. However, when it is desired to expose additional components mounted on the opposite side of the chassis, the grooved sliding assembly 13, in a manner which will be described, permits rapid removal of the cover member 11 from base member 12. Thus, it can be understood that servicing of components supported in this manner is greatly facilitated over that of previous mounting devices where it was necessary to turn the cabinet over on its side to expose the parts mounted underneath the chassis. In addition, when cover member 11 is urged in place on base member 12, it is held in position with respect to chassis v11 by means of oppositely-disposed ceramic spacers 101 mounted on chassis 16.

The grooved sliding assembly 13, as shown in Figs. 2 land 3, comprises a U.shaped mounting groove 105 at the extremity of the upturned end portion of base member 12 which, as shown, is bent back upon itself and outward to form said groove 105, and then bent upward to form a projecting edge member 106 against which a similar projecting edge member S ofcover member 11 is slidably mounted. The latter projecting edge member 108 is formed, in like manner, by bending the end portion of cover member 11 backward upon itself and then directly downward at 110 to form this projecting edge member 108 which tits in groove 105 of base member 12, thus permitting the bent edge portions 112 and 113 to engage each other and support cover member 11, as shown. It should be noted that the outwardly-curved portion of base member 12, opposite mounting groove 105, and the corresponding curved portion at 110 in cover plate 11, form a pair of oppositely-disposed outwardly-curved surfaces 111 and 123 which are embraced by chrome strip 114, which has opposite longitudinal end portions curved inwardly for this purpose. In this manner, the cover and base members are locked rigidly together along their longitudinal end portions. A corresponding grooved sliding assembly 13, not shown, is formed by the end portions on the opposite side of cover member 11 and base member 12, with the exception that mounting groove 105 is formed in cover member 11 and receives the corresponding projecting edge member 106 formed in base member 12.

Referring now to Fig. 4, corner members 115, one of which is not shown, are each provided With grooves which receive the end portions of cover member 11, base member 12 and chrome srtip 114. An L-portion 116 of each of the corner members 115 Serves as an ornament, as does chrome strip 114, to hide the interlocking portions of cover member 11 and base member 12. ".[hese members are also provided with serrated portions 117, 127, 119 and 129, as shown in Fig. l, which add structural rigidity to the cabinet. Serrated portions 117 and 119 extend within a groove 118 in each corner member 115. lIt should be noted that the oppositely-disposed corner members 115 can be easily mounted on base member 12 prior to inserting cover member 11 into the grooves provided in sliding assembly 13 and locking the two members together by sliding chrome strip 114 over the curved portions 111 and 123. In this manner, cover member 11 can be easily and rapidly attached to or removed from base member 12. Thus, the television chassis, parts and tube assembly contained therein are readily accessible for servicing from either the rear or top of the cabinet and, 'as noted previously, the cathode ray4 tube is supported entirely by its dome portion in a manner which permits rapid removal from the cabinet.

`In addition, it will Vbe appreciated that many variations of the features shown and described herein in connection with a single embodiment of the invention illustrated will occur to those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates; for example, the vertical chassis 16 could be mounted at other angles than perpendicular -to the base member 12. Furthermore, the cabinet 10 may be made of other materials than metal, such as plastic or wood, and the supporting chassis for the cathode Tray tube 23 could also be made of other materials than metal, if so desired. Accordingly, it is desired that this` appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Av cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tubes having a display screen, a neck and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet having Va base member substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a clamp member surrounding and rmly engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said display screen, one portion of said clamp member being iixedly secured to said base member, a chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube and having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, mounting means aixed solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said neck of said tube, and adjustableV securing means connected between said chassis and said clamp member and including at least one rigid support rod having one end'connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base'member, with the other end `of said support rod being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said `edge which isV connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said adjustable securing means urges :said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said'dome-shaped portion.

2. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet having a base member substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a clamp member surrounding and iirmly engaging said dome-shaped portion Iadjacent said display screen, one portion of said clamp memberV being iixedly secured to said base member, a chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube and having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substant'ially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, mounting means aflixed solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said neck-of said tube, and adjustable securing ing at least one rigid support rod having one end con-l nected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of said support rod being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said adjustable securing means urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion.

3. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck-and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet having a base member substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a clamp member surrounding and firmly engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said display screen, one portion of said clamp member being fxedly secured to said base member, a chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube, means for connecting an edge of said chassis to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, a ring-shaped mounting means afxed solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said neck of said tube, and adjustable securing means connected between said chassis and said clamp member and including at least one rigid support rod having one end connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of said support rod being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said adjustable securing means urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion thereof.

4. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet having a base member and a detachable cover member fastened thereto, said base member being substantially perpendicular to said display screen and eX- tending along the length of said tube, a support structure for mounting said tube on said base member, said support structure including a clamp member extending substantially the entire circumference of said tube and iirmly engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said display screen, one portion of said clamp member being fixedly secured to said base member, a vertical chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube and having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, a ringshaped mounting member atiixed solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said neck of said tube, and adjustable securing means connected between said chassis and said clamp member above said dome-shaped portion and including at least one rigid support rod having one end connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of said support rodjbeing connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said adjustable securing means urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion thereof.

5. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet enclosing said tube, said cabinet including a horizontal base member and a cover member slidably fastened to said base member, said base member being substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a support structure for mounting said tube on said base member, said support structure including a clamp member extending around the entire circumference or" said dome-shaped portion of said tube adjacent the display screen thereof, one portion of said clamp member being xedly s..- cured to said base member, a chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube and having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, a ring-shaped mounting member affixed solely to said chassis and engaging said domeshaped portion adjacent said neel; of said tube, and adjustable securing means connected between said chassis and saixl clamp member above said dome-shaped portion and including at least one rigid support rod having one end connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of said support rod being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction ofthe length of said adjustable securing means urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion thereof.

6. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a cabinet having a base member substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a support structure for mounting said tube on said base member, said support structure including a clamp member surrounding and iirmly engaging the major portion of the circumference of said dome-shaped portion adjacent Said display screen, one portion of said clamp member being xedly secured to said base member, a chassis surrounding said neck portion of said tube and having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantilaly parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, a ring-shapped mounting member atlixed solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said nack of said tube, and adjustable securing means connected between said chassis and said clamp member and including a plurality of rigid support rods each having one end connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of each of said support rods being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said adjustable securing means urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion thereof.

7. A cathode ray tube display device comprising a glass cathode ray tube having a display screen, a neck, and a dome-shaped portion extending therebetween, a sheet-metal cabinet having a base member substantially perpendicular to said display screen and extending along the length of said tube, a clamp member surrounding and tirmly engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said display screen, one portion of said clamp member being iixedly secured to said base member, a chassis containing an aperture for receiving a portion of said tube Vand having an edge connected to said base member, said chassis being positioned substantially parallel to said display screen and perpendicular to said base member, a ring-shaped mounting member adjustably attached solely to said chassis and engaging said dome-shaped portion adjacent said neck of said tube, and a plurality of rigid support rods connected between said chassis and said clamp member, each of said support rods having one end connected to said clamp member at a position thereon substantially opposite to the said portion which is secured to said base member, with the other end of each of said support rods being connected to said chassis at a position remote from the said edge which is connected to said base member, whereby a reduction of the length of said support rods urges said tube toward said chassis for support of said tube substantially entirely by the said dome-shaped portion thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,484,345 Hinz Oct. l1, 1949 2,738,501 Swanson Mar. 13, 1956 2,757,889 Cady Aug. 7, 1956 2,896,200 Aeschliman July 21, 1959 FOREiGN PATENTS 1,000,706 France Feb. 15, 1952 643,115 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES Electronic Design, May 1954, pages 18, 19. Electronic Design, Ian. 1955, pages 34, 35. 

